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The Toyota Matrix was launched in 2003 as a hatchback version of the Corolla, the perennial small-car-sales all-star. Based on the same platform, it was aimed at younger buyers with active lifestyles that required more space than the sedan could provide, but for one reason or another wouldn’t step up to a larger car or SUV. To this day, Toyota still rolls Matrix sales volume in with the Corolla although the small hatch has its own styling and character.

Aesthetically, the Matrix has very little Corolla left in its wedge-shape profile and tall, narrow stance. In 2008 the car was re-skinned, adding a larger chunky C-pillar, and it was refreshed again for 2011. The 2009 re-skin removed some of the frumpy wagon-esque look, but less glass and more metal hinders rear visibility. For 2011, Toyota made some slight exterior changes but mostly went for inner beauty through subtle interior changes.

While the Matrix and similar offerings like the Suzuki SX4 are sometimes billed as crossover vehicles, it can be argued that even the all-wheel-drive versions are simply hatchbacks with a high roofline. Either way, with rear seats folded down the Matrix has enough space to swallow all but the biggest flat-screens. If you require even more length, the front passenger seat folds flat, making space for boards belonging to surf, snow, or even ironing enthusiasts.

The 2011 Toyota Matrix S AWD we tested came equipped with Toyota’s 158-horsepower 2.4-liter I-4 engine. Power is fed to all four wheels through a four-speed torque convertor automatic transmission. Acceleration times will not set the world ablaze, but the Matrix will certainly keep up with traffic. At the drag strip, 0-60 mph test runs showed a consistent time of 8.9 seconds, while the quarter mile came up in 16.8 seconds with a trap speed of 81.3 mph. Best results were achieved using torque-braking launches and shifting the transmission manually. Testers noted the transmission functions well enough, but could certainly use another gear or two: “It always feels like gears are either too high or too low and the engine is out of its power band.” The front-wheel-drive versions of the Matrix S come equipped with either a five-speed manual or automatic, while most of the competition in the small car category – and most of the industry for that matter – have been getting six-speeds.

Braking from 60 mph to a stop screeched by in a respectable 126 feet, again, nothing spectacular but certainly in line with expectations in this class. Pedal operation is linear and stops were consistent with no brake fade during the repeated tests. Driver aids include anti-lock brakes, traction control (TRAC), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Smart Stop Technology (SST). TRAC and VSC can both be disabled with the push of a dash-mounted button, allowing drivers to use tire spin to rock the vehicle when stuck in mud or snow.

In handling tests, drivers were shocked by the tossable nature of the small IKEA hauler. Entering a corner at speeds on the far side of sane and giving a quick jerk to the steering wheel resulted in a big rotation and an even bigger grin. Sadly, the lack of power to keeps that grin from sticking around. Speed is scrubbed off by sideways heroics, and adding throttle or avoiding it results in the car straightening out and turning to understeer. With more power and better gearing, this thing could make a pretty decent auto-X weapon. Even better would be a manual transmission.

With the relatively low power in the Matrix S, we aren’t convinced the benefits of the all-wheel drive system outweigh the downsides. We can’t say without back-to-back testing, but unless you live in the snowiest of areas or plan on off-roading on a regular basis — in a Matrix – most buyers will likely be happier with the front- drive version. If it were our money, we would skip the all-wheel-drive option and buy an XRS with a manual for the same price. While you’re at it, have the dealer throw in a copy of the Toyota Racing Development catalog and make the thing even more fun with a few performance parts.

As it sits, the Matrix is the best combination of usability and fun in the Corolla lineup. In all-wheel drive form, it has almost no competitors to speak of. The base price of the $22,000 Matrix S AWD splits the pricing of the $17,000 Suzuki SX4 AWD and the $27,000 MINI Cooper Clubman S ALL4 right down the middle. Although American buyers traditionally don’t like hatchbacks, these models all seem to do well. Maybe manufacturers need to start referring to their hatches as crossovers.

Cargo (Std/Max)

Seating

2011 Toyota Matrix News and Reviews

Despite taking a somewhat confrontational approach in the past, UAW President Bob King has apparently mellowed out, saying that the union is no longer the automakers’ adversary according to Bloomberg. Now looking to cooperate with automakers to ensure that both they and the union survive, King says the UAW seeks a “moderate, pragmatic and inclusive” relationship.Speaking at the Detroit Regional…

Sales of the Canadian-built Toyota Matrix have been on decline in recent years and Toyota is unsure if the hatchback will return when the next-generation Corolla arrives. The new Corolla should arrive before 2013.“There’s no change right now on the car, (but) we haven’t made the decision yet,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager-Toyota Div., about the…

Toyota has blessed its 2011 Toyota Matrix five-door hatchback with a blink-and-you'll-miss-it refresh. Look closely and you’ll see new wheel designs and mild changes to the interior.Debuting at the Chicago Auto Show, the 2011 Matrix retains the same 132-horsepower 1.8-liter and 158-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines as before. All-wheel drive remains an option with the 2.4-liter engine and a four-speed automatic…

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